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OPA Price Revision

From The American Horologist and Jeweler magazine, October, 1946

OPA Price Revision

Effective, August 19, 1946, a Price revision of clocks and watches with less than 7 jewel was established by the Office of Price Administration.

The amended order now stands as follows:

1. The second paragraph of section 2 (a) is amended to read as follows:

This order does not cover electric clock motors without time trains, timing devices or clock systems which are under RMPR 136, watches or clocks with 7 or more jewels, clock and watches with imported movements which are under the MIPR or RMPR 499, respectively, or used clocks and watches which are covered by the GMPR and MPR 429.

2. Section 4 is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 4. Retail ceiling prices. This section provides for the determination of retail ceiling prices of clocks and watches covered by this order. Manufacturers, except in the case of articles which are sold only to another manufacturer, are required to calculate the retail ceiling prices of their products in accordance with the provisions of this section and to comply with the tagging provisions of section 7.

(a) The retail ceiling price of any clock or watch which the manufacturer delivered to a purchaser for resale prior to August 19, 1946, shall be the retail ceiling price computed in accordance with the provisions of this order as in effect on May 13, 1946.

The retail ceiling price for any clock or watch which the manufacturer· delivers to a purchaser for resale on or after August 19, 1946, shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions of this section:

(1) The retail ceiling price is the "manufacturer's price" to a wholesaler plus the applicable one of the following percentages, the total to be adjusted to the nearest 5 cents:

(i) 77% in the case of watches and spring-wound clocks for which the manufacturer's price is less than $2.90;

(ii) 91% in the case of watches and spring-wound clocks for which the "manufacturer's price" is $2.90 or more but less than $5.56; and electric clocks for which the "manufacturer's price" is less than $5.56;

(iii) 116% in the case of watches and clocks for which the "manufacturer's price" is $5.56 or more.

(2) The retail ceiling price for a watch or clock for which the manufacturer does not have a maximum price to a wholesaler but does have a maximum price to a retailer shall be the manufacturer's price to a retailer plus a markup which will yield the retailer the same percentage margin as the discount which a wholesaler is required to give a retailer by section 5 (b) of this order, the total to be adjusted to the nearest :: cents.

(3) The applicable Federal excise tax upon the retail price may be collected in addition 'to the ceiling prices determined in accordance with this section.

3. Section 5 is amended to read as follows:

See. 5. Wholesalers' ceiling prices. A wholesaler's ceiling price for a clock or watch which the manufacturer delivered to a purchaser for resale prior to August 19, 1946, shall be the wholesaler's ceiling price computed ill accordance with the provisions of this section as in effect on May 13, 1946.

A wholesaler's ceiling price for a clock or watch which the manufacturer delivers to a purchaser for resale on and after August 19, 1946, shall be the wholesale ceiling price calculated by the manufacturer in accordance with the following' provisions of this section:

(a) A manufacturer whose published price list in effect in October 1941 showed different prices for sales by wholesalers in small and large quantities shall determine the wholesale ceiling price for sales in smallest quantities by deducting from the retail ceiling price (exclusive of the Federal excise tax) the applicable one of the following discounts:

(1) 29% in the case of watches and spring-wound clocks for which the manufacturer's price is less than $2.90;

(2) 32% in the case of watches and spring-wound clocks for which the manufacturer's price is $2.90 or more, but less than $5.56; and electric clocks for which the manufacturer's price is less than $5.56;

(3) 37% in the case of watches and clocks for which the manufacturer's price is $5.56 or more.

The manufacturer shall calculate wholesalers' ceiling prices for sales in larger quantities by applying to the wholesale ceiling prices for sales in smallest quantities the differentials contained in his October, 1941 price list for sales in such larger quantities.

(b) A manufacturer who had no published price list in effect during October, 1941 or whose price list did not show different prices for sales by wholesalers in small and large quantities shall determine the wholesale ceiling price for sales of all quantities by applying to the retail ceiling price (exclusive of the Federal excise tax) the applicable one of the following discounts:

(1) 30.5% in the case of watches and spring-wound clocks for which the manufacturer's price is less than $2.90;

(2) 34% in the case of watches and· spring-wound clocks for which the manufacturer's price is $2.90 or more but less than $5.56; and electric clocks for which the manufacturer's price is less than $5.56.

(3) 38.5'% in the case of watches and clocks for which the manufacturer's price IS $5.56 or more.

Jeff,
I received my grandfather's watch which you restored for me yesterday. It is gratifying to see this watch in action after many years. It has probably not been working since 1912.
R. Z.

Hi Jeff!
Thank you so much! My watch looks great! The CD is great too…again,
Thanks so much,
Anna

Hey jeff. I got the watch safe and sound and the cd today. The watch looks better than I had anticipated. Another good job again.
Steve

Thanks Jeff, I am so happy I found you for repairs on my watches.
A. T.

Hello JeffThe watch came today works great, it`s neat to hear it run. I wonder how long its been since it ran, my great grandfather who owned the watch died in 1925. I want thank you for bringing it back to life
J. S.

Jeff,Just a quick note to let you know the watch is back home. It is an absolute joy to see and hear it run again after all these years. It was extremely emotional for me. I remember playing with it as a small boy, and never known it to work. My father would be very proud and humbled to know it was working again. I'm sure he knows. Thank you.
S. Welsh

Jeff,Watches look fantastic, run great. I can see why you're in high demand, you're a class act. You provide detail historical summary and preliminary review of watch prior to work, fair estimate, provide post work summary, along with high res images of watches to boot. Thanks again and
will certainly share your name around.
Thanks!
D. H.

Jeff,I received the watches today and must say I couldn't be more pleased. Thank you so much. It was wonderful to wind them up and here them tic again.
G. M.

I'm very pleased with the outcome and want to thank you for a job well done. The watch looks and runs great, and the hands you replaced are very much more in keeping with an Elgin watch of this time period.
As you might imagine, to send such a precious family heirloom all the way across the country to someone who I really didn't know, or know anything about, took a lot of faith and courage. You really measured up to my expectations.
Thanks and best wishes,
B. H.

Good Morning Jeff
I got the watch back and
I'm thrilled! I really appreciate your professionalism and workmanship.
It's really nice to have the watch back in working order! Especially since
the local repair indicated that it couldn't be fixed! Thanks so much for
everything. I'll certainly be back in touch when it needs maintenance.
M. H.

Hi Jeff –
I just received the watch you repaired for me. It’s absolutely fantastic!
Thanks so much for your excellent service.
A. C.